Face mask having closable opening and method of reducing exposure to respiratory illness

ABSTRACT

A face mask having an opening covered by a flap is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of reducing exposure to a respiratory illness while eating or drinking.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/039,073, filed Jun. 15, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 can be spread by droplets and aerosols. The Centers for Disease Control and authorities in countries outside the US recommend the wearing of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These masks cover the mouth and nose. To eat or drink, it is necessary for the wearer to remove the mask.

A need therefore exists for a mask that permits eating or drinking.

Some people object to use of face masks because wearing them is inconvenient. As a result, these people risk exposing themselves or others to respiratory illnesses.

A need therefore exists for a mask that is ore convenient to wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is a face mask to be worn by a wearer for reducing exposure to a respiratory illness which allows eating or drinking. The mask has a cloth having a shape to cover a lower portion of the wearer's face including a portion of the wearer's nose. The cloth may be woven or non-woven. The cloth is breathable such that the cloth is capable of providing some degree of filtration to the air being breathed in or breathed out, preferably both, by the wearer. The mask may have more than one cloth arranged in layers. The cloth may be cupped or have a pocket for fitting over the chin of the wearer. The mask may be available in a variety of sizes, e.g., small, medium, large, or extra-large, to fit faces of different sizes. The cloth covers the nostrils and preferably a majority of the nose. The cloth also extends downwardly beyond the mouth, preferably to the chin.

The mask has a mouth opening through the cloth for the mouth of the wearer and a flap for selectively covering the opening. The flap may be made of the same or different material as the cloth. The mask has one or more straps for holding the mask on the wearer's face and the opening over the wearer's mouth. The opening when uncovered provides access to the wearers mouth.

The face mask may also have clasps for the flap. The mask may include a first clasp for securing the flap over the opening and a second clasp for securing the flap away from the opening. The first clasp has a first portion attached to the cloth on a first side of the mask selected from the right side or the left side and a second portion of the first clasp attached to the flap. The second clasp has a first portion attached to the cloth on a second side of the mask opposed to the first side and a second portion of the second clasp attached to the flap. Preferably, the flap comprises a free end and the second portion of the first clasp is attached proximal to the free end, i.e. distal from the end opposite to the free end. The free end may extend more than about 0.25 inches and preferably more than 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening so that it is easy for the wearer to open the flap without touching the mouth opening and the mouth. Preferably, the first portion of the first clasp is located more than about 0.25 inches from the mouth opening too so that it is easy for the wearer to open the flap without touching the mouth opening and the mouth.

Preferably, the clasps are magnetic to make it easy to use the clasps and to make it less likely for a wearer to accidentally touch the mouth opening or the wearer's mouth while undoing the clasp. More preferably, the first portion of the first clasp has a first magnet, the second portion of the first clasp has a second magnet, the first portion of the second clasp has a third magnet, and the second portion of the second clasp has the second magnet. Preferably, the flap has a free end and the second magnet is attached proximal to the free end, i.e. distal from the end opposite to the free end. The free end extends more than about 0.25 inches and preferably more than 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening so that it is easy for the wearer to open the flap without touching the mouth opening and the mouth. Preferably, the first magnet is located more than about 0.25 inches from the mouth opening too so that it is easy for the wearer to open the flap without touching the mouth opening and the mouth.

A second aspect of the invention is a method of reducing exposure to a respiratory illness while eating or drinking. The method includes wearing a face mask over a face of the wearer including over the wearer's mouth and at least a portion of the wearer's nose. The face mask has (1) a cloth having a shape to cover a lower portion of the wearer's face, (2) a mouth opening through the cloth for the mouth of the wearer, (3) a flap for selectively covering the opening, and (4) one or more straps for holding the mask on the wearer's face and the opening over the wearer's mouth. The face mask can be the face mask previously disclosed. The method includes opening the flap uncovering the mouth opening, inserting a food or drink item into the mouth through the uncovered mouth opening, and closing the flap after the insertion of the food or drink item to cover the mouth opening.

Preferably, the flap has a free end extending more than about 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening and opening the flap includes grasping a free end of the flap.

Preferably, the mask also has a first clasp for securing the flap over the opening and the first clasp has a first portion attached to the cloth on a first side of the mask selected from the right side or the left side and a second portion attached to the flap. The first portion is located more than about 0.5 inches from the mouth opening. Preferably, opening the flap includes unfastening the first clasp holding the flap over the mouth opening.

Preferably, the mask also has a second clasp for securing the flap away from the opening. The second clasp has a first portion attached to the cloth on a second side of the mask opposed to the first side and a second portion attached to the flap. Preferably, the method includes fastening the second clasp to hold the flap away from the mouth opening before the insertion of the item.

The mask of the invention permits eating and drinking so it isn't necessary to remove a mask. Because the opening can be opened and closed easily, it is likely that the mask of the invention will be more protective than ones that have to be removed for eating and drinking. Additionally, this convenience may cause greater societal acceptance of masks and therefore reduce exposures to respiratory illnesses and reduce the personal (physical, psychological and emotional) effects and societal effects of a pandemic of a respiratory illness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a face mask from the front with a mouth opening closed.

FIG. 2 is schematic illustration of the face mask from the front with the mouth opening open.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a face mask being worn with a mouth opening closed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the face mask being worn with the mouth opening open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, a face mask 10 is provided. Face mask 10 has one or more straps 12, cloth 14, and flap 16. Straps 12 may be woven or non-woven cloth and may be elastic, particularly if the mask is intended to loop around the ears as shown, or substantially non-elastic if the straps are intended to be tied around the back of the head or fastened in any other manner. Cloth 14 has an exterior face 18 and an interior face (not shown). Exterior face 18 may be convex such that the interior face (not shown) is concave to better fit over the chin of a wearer. Cloth 14 may be made from any suitable woven or non-woven fabric including, but not limited to, cotton, synthetic plastic fibers (polypropylene and others), neoprene, chiffon, silk, nylon, polyester, flannel, spandex satin and fabrics qualified for use in personal protective equipment or provided that the cloth is breathable. Cloth 14 may have different layers which may be of different materials. Flap 16 has a free end 20 and a second end 22 which may be detachable from the mask, but is typically attached to the mask by any suitable method including, but not limited to, sewing, zipper, hook and loop fasteners, magnet, plastic latch, pins, button, glue and other adhesives. Flap 16 may be made of the same material as cloth 14.

Cloth 14 has a central portion 24, a right side 26 and a left side 28. Cloth 14 has a mouth opening 30 in central portion 24.

Face mask 10 preferably has clasps 32 and 34. Clasp 32 has a first portion 32 a attached to left side 28 and a second portion 32 b attached to free end 20. Clasp 34 has a first portion 34 a attached to right side 26 and a second portion 34 b attached to free end 20. Clasps 32 and 34 may be any suitable clasp especially hook and loop such as Velcro or magnetic, which are easy to fasten and unfasten reducing the likelihood that a wearer would touch the mouth opening or the wearer's mouth while opening or closing mouth opening 30. To further reduce this likelihood, preferably first portion 32 a is located more than about 0.5″ from mouth opening 30. Preferably, free end 20 extends past portion 32 a (when flap 16 closes mouth opening 30) so it is easy to grip flap 16 without interfering with the fastening of clasps 32 and 34. Clasps 32 and 34 are typically mounted to an exterior face 18 of cloth 14 and an exterior surface of flap 16, but if clasps 32 and 34 are magnetic they may be located inside cloth 14 and inside flap 16.

The mask may be provided in a variety of colors and patterns.

In an embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures, cloth 14 has an outer layer of neoprene polyester, which is 1-4 mm in thickness, and an inner layer of cotton jersey fabric. Straps 12 are polyester spandex. Clasps 32 and 34 include magnets 36, 38 and 40 embedded into the fabric, but they can be outside the fabric. In addition to magnets 36, 38 and 40, cloth 14 can have additional magnets around mouth opening 30 and flap 16 can have corresponding magnets to hold flap 16 over mouth opening 30. Flap 16 is made of the same neoprene polyester as cloth 14 and is sewn onto cloth 14 at fixed end 22.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of reducing exposure to a respiratory illness while eating or drinking is provided. The method includes wearing a face mask, such as face mask 10, over a face of the wearer including over the wearer's mouth and at least a portion of the wearer's nose as shown in FIG. 3. Next, flap 16 is opened uncovering mouth opening 30 by grasping free end 20 and unfastening clasp 32, Next, clasp 34 is fastened to hold flap 16 away from the mouth opening. An item such as food or a beverage can be inserted into the uncovered mouth via mouth opening 30. Finally, the flap is closed to cover the mouth opening.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements, and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A face mask to be worn by a wearer for reducing exposure to a respiratory illness which allows eating or drinking, the mask comprising: a cloth having a shape to cover a lower portion of the wearer's face including at least a portion of the wearer's nose; a mouth opening through the cloth for the mouth of the wearer; a flap for selectively covering the opening; and one or more straps for holding the mask on the wearer's face and the opening over the wearer's mouth, the opening when uncovered providing access to the mouth.
 2. The face mask of claim 1 further comprising a first clasp for securing the flap over the opening, a first portion of the first clasp attached to the cloth on a first side of the mask selected from the right side or the left side and a second portion of the first clasp attached to the flap.
 3. The face mask of claim 2 wherein the flap comprises a free end, the second portion of the first clasp attached proximal to the free end, the free end extending more than about 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening.
 4. The face mask of claim 2 wherein the first portion of the first clasp is located more than about 0.5 inches from the mouth opening.
 5. The face mask of claim 2 further comprising a second clasp for securing the flap away from the opening, a first portion of the second clasp attached to the cloth on a second side of the mask opposed to the first side and a second portion of the second clasp attached to the flap.
 6. The face mask of claim 3 wherein the first portion of the first clasp comprises a first magnet, the second portion of the first clasp comprises a second magnet, the first portion of the second clasp comprises a third magnet, and the second portion of the second clasp comprises the second magnet.
 7. The face mask of claim 6 wherein the flap comprises a free end, the second magnet attached proximal to the free end.
 8. The face mask of claim 7 wherein the free end extends more than about 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening.
 9. The face mask of claim 6 wherein the first magnet is located more than about 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening.
 10. A method of reducing exposure to a respiratory illness while eating or drinking, the method comprising: wearing a face mask over a face of the wearer including over the wearer's mouth and at least a portion of the wearer's nose, the face mask comprising (1) a cloth having a shape to cover a lower portion of the wearer's face, (2) a mouth opening through the cloth for the mouth of the wearer, (3) a flap for selectively covering the opening, and (4) one or more straps for holding the mask on the wearer's face and the opening over the wearer's mouth; opening the flap uncovering the mouth opening; inserting an item into the mouth through the uncovered mouth opening; and closing the flap after the insertion to cover the mouth opening.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein opening the flap comprises grasping a free end of the flap, the free end extending more than about 0.5 inches away from the mouth opening.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the mask further comprises a first clasp for securing the flap over the opening, a first portion of the first clasp attached to the cloth on a first side of the mask selected from the right side or the left side and a second portion of the first clasp attached to the flap, the first portion located more than about 0.5 inches from the mouth opening and wherein opening the flap comprises unfastening the first clasp holding the flap over the mouth opening.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mask further comprises a second clasp for securing the flap away from the opening, a first portion of the second clasp attached to the cloth on a second side of the mask opposed to the first side and a second portion of the second clasp attached to the flap, the method further comprising fastening the second clasp to hold the flap away from the mouth opening before the insertion. 